Mesugaki Tank Enters The Academy

"You're saying the dungeon won't disappear even if the Evil God is gone?"

"How can you be so sure? Do you have evidence?"

Both the First Prince and Erginos fixed their intense gazes on me. Feeling the weight of their scrutinizing stares, I broke out in a cold sweat.

The reason I knew the dungeon wouldn't disappear was simply because I had seen it in the game.

Even after defeating all the Evil Gods sealed within the dungeon, and even after vanquishing their leader, Agra, I saw the dungeons— including the large one—remaining intact.

But how could I explain why the dungeon didn't disappear? What proof did I have? Was there any change? When asked these questions, I couldn't answer them.

No, wait.

I’ve seen birds flying.

So, when I say birds can fly, can I really explain how they fly?

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I can only say that I’ve seen them fly!

<Are you really sure the dungeon doesn’t disappear?>

‘...I think so.’

And, honestly, in the worst case, maybe that only applies in the game. In reality, it’s possible that I might never be able to raid another dungeon again.

If something like that happens after I made such a bold claim, I’d have to deal with the consequences myself!

Ah, right! I should ask Chumman!

If I ask Chumman, they might have some insight on whether the dungeon will really stay intact.

Chumman! Chumman! If I bring the Evil God into the dungeon, will it remain unchanged?

[Move as you believe, and that will be enough.]

Such an ambiguous answer!

So, the dungeon won’t disappear, right?

Even if I’m held responsible, I should move forward with what I believe is right, correct?

Ugh! Seriously, the attitude of this pesky, little, reclusive kid who gave me these skills... it’s really getting on my nerves!

"Can both of you trust my daughter’s words for now?"

I scowled, thinking there would be no response, but just then, Benedict came forward and bowed to both of them.

"Although I cannot elaborate, I am confident that my daughter’s words are the truth. If anything goes wrong, the Alrn family will take responsibility, so please..."

"And the Art Guild will share in that responsibility. You are aware of the amounts our guild has been earning lately, so you needn’t worry about any promises being empty."

Following suit, the perverted apostle also bowed. The First Prince, startled, quickly rose from his seat and bowed as well.

"No, there’s no need to go that far. I just... ha, I understand. We will proceed as Erginos wishes."

Even the usually strong-willed First Prince couldn’t maintain his posture, retreating from the pressure. The other courtiers followed suit, lowering their heads without offering any comment.

Though, on the surface, it seemed like things were going smoothly, I couldn’t bring myself to smile.

They were trusting me this much, but what happens if the dungeon disappears?

The pressure from their good intentions weighs even more heavily than the pressure of malice!

I’m sweating bullets inside!

Ugh. If I’d known this would happen, I should have just kept my mouth shut. Why did I have to say anything?

<Lucy.>

‘What is it?’

<Now that things have gone this far, let’s escalate things a bit.>

‘Escalate? What do you mean?’

<I’m suggesting we turn the reason we’re here into a plea from the prince.>

After Lucy Alrn and her party left, the First Prince, Rene Soladin, was left in the room with his courtiers. Ignoring the gazes around him, he slouched in his chair, staring blankly at the ceiling.

What passed through his mind were the moments when he first met the party.

More specifically, the hostility he had felt from Erginos, the legendary hero, was still vivid in his mind.

Originally, Rene hadn’t planned on coming here. He had been focused on his duties, unaware of what Lucy Alrn and her group were trying to accomplish. The matters of this city were far from his mind.

But Rene had come to this dungeon city solely because of the First Queen’s orders.

"Go to that place and meet with Erginos. The reason? Hmm... just say you’re concerned about the dungeon."

What his mother, the First Queen, had said was so uncharacteristically vague that it didn’t sit well with Rene.

For someone who usually carried out kingdom matters with meticulous calculation, hearing her speak like that was surprising.

Rene thought it was strange, but since he trusted the First Queen, he came here, believing that she must have had a plan.

But what he faced here was direct hostility.

"What’s the point of this?"

Unprepared and suddenly thrust into this situation, Rene had no power to persuade anyone. He only had vague worries and doubts about things that hadn't even happened yet.

If this were a common citizen in the market, this would be a trivial matter, but Rene was the First Prince—a likely heir to the throne.

What was the point of showing up unprepared and trying to force his authority?

Especially when his opponents were of equal or higher status?

"What is the First Queen thinking?" Rene wondered aloud.

He had worked under her for a long time, yet he still couldn’t figure out her thoughts.

"What do you think, gentlemen?"

"Well, perhaps she wants you to make connections, even in this manner."

"Maybe she’s hoping you’ll get involved in Erginos’s great cause."

It seemed the courtiers also couldn’t follow the First Queen’s reasoning.

Of course, it made sense. How could those who were less clever than him understand her thoughts?

Forget it. I won’t waste any more time thinking about it.

He thought of his unfortunate younger brother, who couldn’t even meet his gaze, and of Lucy Alrn, who was now gaining respect and admiration while he was stuck in this mess.

"...Traitor."

"Excuse me?"

"What did you just say, First Prince?"

"It’s nothing. Forget it."

Rene snapped at his courtiers with a cold voice, then stood up, brushing his hair back.

"Now, prepare to release the people. We may need to stir up some chaos."

"Are you really going to follow Lady Alrn’s request?"

"Is there any other option? In the blink of an eye, I’ve managed to make enemies of a legendary hero, a revered apostle, and a renowned Sword Saint. What else can I do?"

No matter the circumstances, what Rene had done here was just getting in the way of their plans.

It seemed like things were settled for now, but who knew how this would turn out later? He had to resolve the situation, at least for now.

When the time came, he would say that he had done his best, even if his reputation took a hit in the process.

"Let’s make sure we create a few scapegoats while we’re at it. No one should dare try to raid the dungeon under my orders."